Cat confinement fence

ABSTRACT

A cat confinement fence for limiting a cat from escaping from a confinement area includes a plurality of posts spaced apart and mounted in the ground to define the confinement area. Each of the posts includes a main section and a pivoting section. A first end of each main section is mounted in a ground surface and a second end of each main section is secured to the pivoting section. The pivoting section is pivotable between an upright position and an extended position. Upper fencing is mounted to and between the plurality of posts and extends across at least a portion of the main section and at least a portion of the pivoting section of each of the plurality of posts. A resilient member is mounted proximate to the second end of the main section of each post and biases the pivoting section of the respective post toward the upright position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/916,362 filed May 7, 2007 entitled “Cat ConfinementFence”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an animal confinement fence and,more particularly, to a cat confinement fence having a plurality ofposts with a main section that is mounted in the ground and a pivotingsection that is pivotably mounted to a top or second end of the mainposts. A continuous, flexible fencing is mounted to the main andpivoting sections of each of the posts to surround a confinement area.

It is known to provide a confinement area for outdoor exercise withinwhich a pet may be held to prevent escape. Many structures and methodsare known in the animal confinement art to retain animals in theconfinement area including physical fences, invisible fences, cages,runs, leads and other structures and methods. However, cages are oftenundesirable if the confinement area is to be used by the pet owner forother activities and invisible fences and leashes do not keep otheranimals out. Additionally, pets such as cats are particularly adeptclimbing animals and are traditionally difficult animals to containwithin a confinement area because of their climbing abilities,relatively small size and generally athletic build. Cats have been ableto defeat many types of conventional fencing and confinement structuresby climbing or jumping over fencing, digging or urging their way underfencing or squeezing their way through, under or around the confinementstructures. As a result, many cat owners confine their cats permanentlywithin their home without the ability to venture outside to avoid therisk that their cat will defeat the confinement structure.

It would therefore be desirable to construct an open top confinementstructure that generally prevents cats and other animals from escapingthe confinement area.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, the present invention is directed to a cat confinementfence for limiting a cat from escaping from a confinement area. The catconfinement fence includes a plurality of posts spaced apart and mountedin the ground to define the confinement area. Each of the posts includesa main section and a pivoting section. A first end of each main sectionis mounted in a ground surface and a second end of each main section ispivotably secured to the pivoting section. The pivoting section ispivotable between an upright position and an extended position. Upperfencing is mounted to and between the plurality of posts and extendsacross at least a portion of the main section and at least a portion ofthe pivoting section of each of the plurality of posts. A resilientmember is mounted proximate to the second end of the main section ofeach post and biases the pivoting section of the respective post towardthe upright position.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a post for a catconfinement fence for limiting a cat from escaping from a confinementarea wherein the post is used with a flexible fencing that extendsbetween a plurality of the posts to define the confinement area. Thepost comprises a main section that is mounted in the ground at a firstend. A pivoting section is pivotably mounted to the main section at asecond end of the main section. The pivoting section is pivotablebetween an upright position and an extended position. A knuckle ispivotably mounts the main section to the pivoting section. The knucklelimits the pivoting section to pivotable movement from the uprightposition toward and away from the confinement area to the extendedposition. A resilient cord is secured to the main section and thepivoting section. The resilient cord biases the pivoting section towardthe upright position.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a cat containment fencefor limiting a cat from escaping from a confinement area. The catcontainment fence comprises a plurality of posts that are mounted to theground and surround the confinement area. Each of the posts has a mainsection and a pivoting section. A first end of the main section of eachpost is mounted in the ground and a second end of the main section ofeach post is pivotably mounted to the pivoting section. The pivotingsection is pivotable between an upright position and an extendedposition. Generally flexible mesh upper fencing is secured to theplurality of posts and continuously extends across at least a portion ofthe main and pivoting sections of each of the posts. The flexible upperfencing flexes when the pivoting section moves to and between theupright and extended positions. A knuckle secures the second end of eachof the main sections of each post to the respective pivoting section. Aresilient cord is secured to the main section and the pivoting sectionof each post. The resilient cord biases the pivoting section toward theupright position. A lower fence flared onto and staked to the ground ata lower edge and overlaps with the upper flexible fencing at an upperedge. The lower fencing constructed of a generally rigid wire meshmaterial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofa preferred embodiment of the invention, will be better understood whenread in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodimentwhich is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that theinvention is not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front interior perspective view of a portion of a catconfinement fence in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one of the posts of the catconfinement fence shown in FIG. 1 with the post shown in an extendedposition;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the cat confinement fence shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a greatly magnified front interior perspective view of a postof the cat confinement fence shown in FIG. 1, wherein the post in theextended position; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevational interior view of an access point or doorfor the cat confinement fence shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenienceonly and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower” and “upper”designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Thewords “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and awayfrom, respectively, the geometric center of a cat confinement fence inaccordance with the present invention, and designated parts thereof.Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” arenot limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “atleast one”. The terminology includes the words noted above, derivativesthereof and words of similar import.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate likeelements throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5, a preferred embodimentof a cat containment fence 1 and related parts of the cat containmentfence 1 for limiting a pet cat 7, or similarly sized animal, fromescaping from a confinement area 6, in accordance with the presentinvention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the cat containment fence 1 is designed tocontain the cat 7 within the predetermined confinement area 6, typicallya yard of a home 11. The confinement area 6 is defined or bounded by aplurality of spaced apart posts 2 and potentially, at least one side ofthe house 11 (see FIG. 3) although the plurality of posts 2 maycompletely surround the confinement area 6. The posts 2 are preferablyspaced at approximately ten to twelve foot (10-12′) intervals, but maybe spaced at nearly any distance to define the confinement area 6. Theplurality of posts 2 are anchored into the ground 9, preferably bysliding a first end 8 a of the posts 2 into a post sleeve 10 that istapped into the ground 9, for example using a driving cap (not shown).The first end 8 a of the post 2 is retained in the post sleeve 10preferably by a friction fit or fastener and the post sleeve 10 providesstability for the post 2 as well as permits proper alignment of theposts 2 relative to the confinement area 6. The post sleeves 10 alsoeliminate the need for an installer to pound the posts 2 into the ground9 from a significant height, thereby eliminating the need for theinstaller to climb a ladder to pound the posts 2 into the ground 9.Further, the post sleeves 10 eliminate the need for the installer to digholes into the ground 9 before inserting the posts 2 in the ground 9.The fence 1 is not limited to the inclusion of the post sleeves 10 andthe posts 2 may be directly driven into the ground 9 or the posts 2 maybe mounted in the ground 9 in any suitable manner such as through theuse of cement. However, the post sleeves 10 are preferred to mount theposts 2 in the ground 9 such that the posts 2 are positioned at apreferred depth and are rotatable to a preferred orientation relative tothe ground 9, as will be described in greater detail below. The postsleeves 10 are preferably approximately two feet (2′) long such that theposts 2 are mounted approximately two feet into the ground 9 to providestability to the posts 2. The post sleeves 10 may have nearly any lengthor size that permits stable mounting of the posts 2. The post sleeves 10also preferably include a drain hole 10 a proximate a lower end topermit fluid, generally water, to flow out of the post sleeve 10 intothe ground 9.

Each of the posts 2 preferably includes a main section 2 a that isanchored in the ground 9 and a pivoting section 2 b that is pivotablymounted to a second end 8 b of the main section 2 a proximate the top ofthe post 2. The main section 2 a is preferably constructed of a one andthree-eighths inch (1⅜″) diameter steel pipe that is galvanized andpowder coated black having a height of four to six feet (4-6′),depending upon the type of animal retained within the confinement area 6and the site location. However, the main section 2 a may be constructedof nearly any type of material and have nearly any size and shape thatenables mounting to the ground 9 and performing the additional functionsof the posts 2 of the preferred cat containment fence 1, as will bedescribed in greater detail below. For example, the main section 2 a maybe constructed of a high strength extruded polymeric material or acarbon fiber epoxy material having a square or rectangular shape and agreater or shorter height than the above-described height range. Thepivoting section 2 b is preferably constructed of a one andthree-eighths inches (1⅜″) diameter aluminum pipe having a length ofeighteen to twenty-four inches (18-24″). However, the pivoting section 2b may be constructed of a rectangular, wooden pole that is pivotablymounted to the main section 2 a. The above-described constructions ofthe main section 2 a and pivoting section 2 b are preferred based upontheir durability, cost, weight and adaptability to forming the posts 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the pivoting section 2 b is pivotable between anupright position (FIG. 1) and an extended position (FIGS. 2 and 4)relative to the main section 2 a. The pivoting section 2 b is preferablyable to pivot in generally a single imaginary plane at least ninetydegrees (90°) and preferably at least one hundred eighty degrees (180°)relative to the main section 2 a. The pivoting section 2 b is pivotablefrom the extended position, wherein the pivoting section 2 b ispositioned generally coaxially or parallel relative to the main section2 a, to the extended position, wherein the pivoting section 2 b ispositioned non-coaxially or at an angle relative to the main section 2a. The pivoting section 2 b is preferably extendable to a position wherethe pivoting section 2 b is positioned at least perpendicular relativeto the main section 2 a. Pivoting of the pivoting section 2 b toward theconfinement area 6 generally urges the cat 7 back into the confinementarea 6 if the cat 7 climbs above the main section 2 a and pivoting ofthe pivoting section 2 b away from the confinement area 6 generallyurges any creatures that climb the cat containment fence 1 from outsideof the confinement area 6 out or away from the confinement area 6. Thepivoting section 2 b is not limited to being pivotable on a single planeor through the generally one hundred eighty degree angle relative to themain section 2 a and may be pivotable in nearly any manner relative tothe main section 2 a. For example, the pivoting section 2 b may bemounted to the main section 2 a on a ball joint to pivot nearly anywherewithin a half of a sphere volume defined by a central pivoting point atthe second end 8 b of the main section 2 a and the pivoting section 2 b.However, the one hundred eighty degree pivoting in a single plane of thepivoting section 2 b relative to the main section 2 a is preferred suchthat the pivoting section 2 b generally remains at a constant distancebetween adjacent posts 2 and pivots exclusively toward or directly awayfrom the confinement area 6.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the main section 2 a and pivoting section 2b are preferably separated by a knuckle 5. The knuckle 5 preferablylimits pivoting of the pivoting section 2 b through the angle ofapproximately one hundred eighty degrees (180°) relative to the mainsection 2 a. The knuckle 5 preferably includes a top fitting 5 a that isreceived into or encompasses the lower end of the pivoting section 2 band a lower fitting 5 b that is received into or encompasses the secondend 8 b of the main section 2 a. The knuckle 5 is preferably constructedof machined aluminum, a high density injection molded polymeric materialor a nylon material, but the knuckle 5 may be constructed of nearly anymaterial and have nearly any configuration that permits mounting to thepivoting section 2 b and the main section 2 a and supports pivoting ofthe pivoting section 2 b relative to the main section 2 a. The knuckle 5guides the pivoting motion of the pivoting section 2 b relative to themain section 2 a and is preferably configured to limit the movement ofthe pivoting section 2 b relative to the main section 2 a to theabove-described one hundred eighty degrees on a single plane. Theknuckle 5 may also be configured to limit the pivoting movement of thepivoting section 2 b to a ninety degree angle toward the confinementarea 6 through stops formed or machined into the knuckle 5.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the cat containment fence 1 preferably includeslower fencing 3 that is mounted to the main portion 2 a of the posts 2and upper, flexible fencing 4 that is mounted to an upper portion of themain portion 2 a and the pivotable portion 2 b. The lower fencing 3 ispreferably constructed of a one and one-half to two inch (1½-2″) steel,welded wire mesh fencing that is coated black, but may be constructed ofnearly any material and have nearly any type of configuration that isable to withstand the normal operating conditions of the lower fencing 3and secure the cat 7 within the confinement area 6. The lower fencing 3is preferably mounted such that a lower edge 3 a is flared onto andtoward the containment area 6 on the ground 9 and is staked to theground with the spikes 13 to limit the cat 7 from escaping beneath thelower fencing 3. In addition, the one and one-half to two inch (1½-2″)steel, welded wire mesh fencing is preferred for the lower fencing 3because the steel material discourages cats 7 that are either intendedfor confinement or other animals, for example, wild animals includingrabbits, groundhogs, raccoons and dogs, from chewing holes in the lowerfencing 3. The lower fencing 3 also preferably generally preventspredators of the confined cats 7 or other cats from entering theconfinement area 6 and may be solidly secured to the ground 9 to keepthe confined cats 7 from escaping under the lower fencing 3. However,the lower fencing 3 may be constructed of nearly any type of fencing ormaterial including a polymeric-type fencing. The lower fencing 3 ispreferably, continuously mounted between the posts 2 to create acontinuous barrier around the confinement area 6, but may be comprisedof several pieces of fencing that are spliced together or overlapped toform a continuous barrier around the confinement area 6 or to encompassthe confinement area 6 along with an existing structure, such as thehouse 11.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the upper fencing 4 is preferably mountedbetween the posts 2 above the lower fencing 3 such that the upperfencing 4 extends continuously across the main section 2 a and thepivoting section 2 b to a top end of each of the posts 2. The upperfencing 4 is preferably constructed of a one and one-half to two inch(1½-2″) polymeric mesh grid fencing that is flexible to permit pivotingof the pivoting section 2 b relative to the main section 2 a withoutsignificantly impacting the performance of the upper fencing 4. Theupper fencing 4 may be constructed of an extruded polypropylene meshgrid having grid openings that are small enough to prevent cats 7 fromsqueezing through the grid openings. The upper fencing 4 continuouslyextends across at least a portion of the main section 2 a and thepivoting section 2 b at each of the posts 2 to form a continuous upperfencing 4 between the main and pivoting sections 2 a, 2 b. However, theupper fencing 4 may be constructed of nearly any type of fencing that isable to confine the cat 7 within the confinement area 6 and withstandthe normal operating conditions of the cat confinement fence 1.Specifically, the upper fencing 4 may be constructed of nearly any typeof fencing that permits pivoting of the pivoting section 2 b relative tothe main section 2 a during use and extends continuously across the mainand pivoting sections 2 a, 2 b. However, the one and one-half to twoinch (1½-2″) polymeric mesh grid fencing is preferred for its lightweight, ease of assembly, durability, ability to flex, relativelynon-intrusive appearance and adaptability to mounting to the posts 2.

The lower and upper fencing 3, 4 is preferably secured between the posts2 with zip ties 12 or other securing mechanisms including stapling,clamping, adhesive bonding, hook and loop material or nearly anyfastening mechanism (not shown) that is able to secure the fencing tothe posts 2 to surround the confinement area 6 and which is generallyresistant to tampering, specifically by cats 7 that are confined. Anupper edge 3 b of the lower fencing 3 preferably at least partiallyoverlaps at least a portion of the upper fencing 4 such that no gaps areformed in the fencing 3, 4 between the posts 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, the cat confinement fence 1 also includes aresilient biasing member 14 that biases the pivoting section 2 b towardthe upright position relative to the main section 2 a. The resilientbiasing member 14 is preferably constructed of a resilient cord, such asa steel spring or a bungee cord that is secured between the main section2 a and the pivoting section 2 b to bias the pivoting section 2 b towardthe upright position. The resilient biasing member 14 preferably extendsthrough a hollow portion of the main section 2 a, the knuckle 5 and thepivoting section 2 b to provide a bias force to the pivoting section 2b, but the resilient biasing member 14 may be mounted to nearly anyportion of the posts 2 to provide the biasing force. The resilientbiasing member 14 is not limited to the bungee cord construction and maybe constructed of nearly any biasing member including a spring,spring/damper, active biasing mechanism or other biasing member thatbiases the pivoting section 2 b toward the upright position. Inaddition, the biasing member 14 may be configured to have variousbiasing forces associated therewith depending upon the type of cat 7that is confined. For example, the biasing force of the resilientbiasing member 14 is typically less when a domestic or house cat 7 isconfined when compared to the biasing force that would be required toretain a lion within the confinement area 6.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, to erect the cat confinement fence 1, the postsleeves 10 are inserted into the ground 9 such that an upper end of thepost sleeves 10 are generally flush with the ground 9 and the first ends8 a of the main section 2 a are inserted into a hollow of the postsleeves 10. The posts 2 are preferably spaced approximately ten totwelve feet (10-12′) apart to define the confinement area 6. Inaddition, the posts 2 are preferably positioned in the sleeves 10 suchthat the pivoting section 2 b is positioned in an orientation whereinthe pivoting section 2 b pivots toward and/or away from the confinementarea 6. The post sleeves 10 accommodate rotation of the posts 2 relativeto the ground 9 such that the pivoting section 2 b may be oriented forpivotable movement toward and away from the confinement area 6 whenmoving from the upright position toward the extended position. The lowerfencing 3 is secured to the posts 2 at a preferred height of two tothree feet (2-3′) above the ground 9 and is flared onto the ground 9approximately six to twelve inches (6-12″) between the posts 2. Thelower fencing 3 is preferably secured to the posts 2 using the zip ties12 and the lower edge of the lower fencing 3 is secured to the ground 9using the spikes 13 between the posts 2. The upper fencing 4 is mountedto and between the posts 2 above the lower fencing 3 such that the upperfencing continuously extends between the main section 2 a and pivotingsection 2 b of each of the posts 2. The upper fencing 4 overlaps thelower fencing 3 and is secured to the posts 2 and the lower fencing 3using the zip ties 12. The preferred upper fencing 4 is relativelysimple to mount and secure to the posts 2 at up to at least nine feet(9′) from the ground 9 due to its light weight and flexibility. Once thelower and upper fencing 3, 4 are secured to the posts 2, the fencing 3,4 provide stability to the cat confinement fence 1.

In operation, the cat 7 is released into the confinement area 6. Whenthe cat 7 attempts to climb the fence 1, the cat 7 may scale the lowerfencing 3 with little flexing of the fence 1, may scale the upperfencing 4 with some flexing of the plastic, flexible upper fencing 4 atleast up to the knuckle 5 and the weight of the cat 7 typically causesthe pivoting section 2 b to quickly pivot toward the ground 9 when theweight of the cat 7 overcomes the biasing force of the resilient member14. The quick pivoting of the pivoting section 2 b toward theconfinement area 6 causes the cat 7 to release its grip from the upperflexible fencing 4 and fall back into the confinement area 6.Specifically, when the cat 7 reaches the pivoting section 2 b, theknuckle 5 quickly flips the cat 7 and the pivoting section 2 b towardthe secured area 6 and preferably quickly stops pivoting when positionedgenerally perpendicularly to the main section 2 a. The quick movement ofthe pivoting section 2 b and upper fencing 4 typically causes the cat 7to release its grip from the upper fencing 4 and jump back into theconfinement area 6. In addition, the quick interruption of the pivotingfurther causes the cat 7 to release its grip and fall into theconfinement area 6. When the weight of the cat 7 is no longer hangingfrom the upper fencing 4 proximate the pivoting sections 2 b, thebiasing force of the resilient biasing member 14 urges the pivotingsection 2 b from the extended position toward the upright position. Inthe upright position, the cat confinement fence 1 is again prepared toprevent the cat 7 or another cat (not shown) from escaping theconfinement area 6. Further, limiting pivoting of the pivoting section 2b ninety degrees toward the confinement area 6 from the upright positiongenerally urges the cat 7 back into the confinement area 6. Likewise, ifa cat 7 or other animal from outside the confinement area 6 attempts toclimb over the cat containment fence 1, the pivoting section 2 b pivotsaway from the confinement area 6 when the cat 7 or other animal climbsto a specific height and urges the animal away from the confinement area6. The lower welded wire mesh fencing 3 generally prevents chewing holesin the lower fencing 3 and the extension of the lower fencing 3 onto theground generally prevents the cat 7 from escaping the confinement area 6or predators from entering the confinement area 6 beneath the lowerfencing 3.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cat containment fence 1 may also include anaccess door or point 20 located between two adjacent posts 2′. Theaccess door 20 provides a entry and exit location such that people,equipment, lawn mowers, animals or other items may enter and exit theconfinement area 6 without having to climb over or under the catcontainment fence 1 or otherwise maneuver around the fence 1. The accessdoor 20 preferably includes a pair of fencing panels 21 a, 21 b thatinclude a respective edge 21 a′, 21 b′. The edges 21 a′, 21 b′ arepreferably comprised of a solid but flexible material such as canvas ora polymeric sheet that are secured to the flexible mesh of the panels 21a, 21 b. The panels 21 a, 21 b are preferably constructed of a similarmesh as the upper fencing 4. The edges 21 a′, 21 b′ of the panels 21 a,21 b are preferably releasably mounted to each other by a zipper 22. Alower flap 23 of the panels 21 a, 21 b includes grommet holes 24 thereinthat are staked to the ground 9 by the spikes 13 to limit a cat 7 fromescaping beneath the access door 20. The zipper 22 may be zipped andun-zipped to erect or break-down the access door 20 to alternativelyprovide a barrier or an opening between the adjacent posts 2. When thezipper 22 is zipped, the cat 7 is contained in the confinement area 6and when the zipper 22 is un-zipped, an opening is provided between thetwo posts 2 and people, vehicles, equipment, lawn mowers and/or animalsare able to gain access to or move out of the confinement area 6.Specifically, the access door 20 is desirable for permitting a lawnmower to enter the confinement area 6 to mow the grass therein and maysubsequently be zipped to create the barrier. In operation, the accessdoor 20 operates to prevent the cat 7 from escaping from the confinementarea 6 in the same or a similar manner to the remainder of the catconfinement fence 1. Because the upper portions of the panels 21 a, 21 bare secured to the pivoting sections 2 b of the adjacent posts 2′, thepanels 21 a, 21 b pivot in a similar manner to the upper fencing 4 asdescribed above.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiment described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A cat confinement fence for limiting a cat from escaping from aconfinement area, the cat confinement fence comprising: a plurality ofposts spaced apart and mounted in the ground to define the confinementarea, each of the posts including a main section and a pivoting section,a first end of each main section mounted in a ground surface and asecond end of each main section pivotably secured to the pivotingsection, the pivoting section pivotable between an upright position andan extended position; upper fencing mounted to and between the pluralityof posts and extending across at least a portion of the main section andat least a portion of the pivoting section of each of the plurality ofposts; and a resilient member mounted proximate to the second end of themain section of each post and biasing the pivoting section of therespective post toward the upright position.
 2. The cat confinementfence according to claim 1, wherein the upper fencing coverssubstantially all of the pivoting section of each of the plurality ofposts.
 3. The cat confinement fence according to claim 1, wherein theupper fencing is constructed of a flexible polymeric material.
 4. Thecat confinement fence according to claim 1, wherein the pivoting sectionof each of the plurality of posts is generally co-axial with the mainsection in the upright position.
 5. The cat confinement fence accordingto claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the pivoting section of eachof the plurality of posts extends into the confinement area when in theextended position.
 6. The cat confinement fence according to claim 1further comprising: a knuckle pivotably securing the main section ofeach of the plurality of posts to the respective pivoting section ofeach of the plurality of posts.
 7. The cat confinement fence accordingto claim 6, wherein the resilient member is constructed of a resilientcord secured to the main section of a post and the pivoting section ofthe respective post.
 8. The cat confinement fence according to claim 7,wherein each resilient member is contained within the pivoting sectionof the respective post.
 9. The cat confinement fence according to claim1 further comprising: lower fencing having an upper edge and a loweredge, the lower fencing secured to and extending between the postsproximate the ground, the lower fencing constructed of a generally rigidmaterial, the lower edge extending into the confinement area on theground and the upper edge at least partially overlapping the upperfencing.
 10. The cat confinement fence according to claim 9, wherein thelower fence is constructed of a welded steel grid.
 11. The catconfinement fence according to claim 10, wherein the upper fencing isconstructed of a flexible polymeric material.
 12. The cat confinementfence according to claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of postsleeves mounted in the ground, each of the post sleeves associated withone of the posts and each post sleeve securing the first end of therespective post in the ground at a predetermined depth.
 13. The catconfinement fence according to claim 1 further comprising an access gatefor allowing a person to enter and exit the confinement area, the accessgate extending between two adjacent posts.
 14. The cat confinement fenceaccording to claim 13, wherein the access gate includes a pair offencing panels that are releasably mounted to each other by a zipper.15. The cat confinement fence according to claim 14, wherein the accessgate includes a lower flap that extends onto the ground within theconfinement area to limit an animal from escaping beneath the accessgate.
 16. The cat confinement fence according to claim 1, wherein thepivoting section of each of the plurality of posts is only pivotableabout a single imaginary plane.
 17. A post for a cat confinement fencefor limiting a cat from escaping from a confinement area wherein thepost is used with a flexible fencing extending between a plurality ofthe posts to define the confinement area, the post comprising: a mainsection mounted in the ground at a first end; a pivoting sectionpivotably mounted to the main section at a second end of the mainsection, the pivoting section pivotable between an upright position andan extended position; a knuckle pivotably mounting the main section tothe pivoting section, the knuckle limiting the pivoting section topivotable movement from the upright position toward and away from theconfinement area to the extended position; and a resilient cord securedto the main section and the pivoting section, the resilient cord biasingthe pivoting section toward the upright position.
 18. The post accordingto claim 17, wherein the pivoting section is only pivotable about asingle imaginary plane.
 19. The post according to claim 18 furthercomprising a post sleeve secured to the ground and surrounding the firstend of the main section to position the first end of the main section ata predetermined depth in the ground.
 20. A cat containment fence forlimiting a cat from escaping from a confinement area, the catcontainment fence comprising: a plurality of posts mounted to the groundand surrounding the confinement area, each of the posts having a mainsection and a pivoting section, a first end of the main section of eachpost mounted in the ground and a second end of the main section of eachpost pivotably mounted to the pivoting section, the pivoting sectionpivotable between an upright position and an extended position;generally flexible mesh upper fencing secured to the plurality of postsand continuously extending across at least a portion of the main andpivoting sections of each of the posts, the flexible upper fencingflexing when the pivoting section moves to and between the upright andextended positions; a knuckle securing the second end of each of themain sections to the respective pivoting section; a resilient cordsecured to the main section and the pivoting section of each post, theresilient cord biasing the pivoting section toward the upright position;and a lower fence flared onto and staked to the ground at a lower edgeand at least partially overlapping with at least a portion of the upperflexible fencing at an upper edge, the lower fencing constructed of agenerally rigid wire mesh material.